U.S. Top News: Former Senator Edwards' defense to start its case

Click to View in Browser 05/14/2012 Former Senator Edwards' defense to start its case GREENSBORO, North Carolina (Reuters) - Former Senator John Edwards' defense is set to begin presenting its case on Monday trying to rebut government charges the two-time presidential candidate violated campaign finance laws. Brown pushes tax hike as California's money woes deepen SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - California Governor Jerry Brown was elected in 2010 on a promise to fix the state's chronic fiscal crisis. His weekend announcement of a much bigger-than-expected shortfall in the state budget signals how far he still has to go. ICE grain contracts kick off turf war with CME CHICAGO (Reuters) - The IntercontinentalExchange (ICE) kicked off the most aggressive challenge yet to the CME Group's 160-year dominance of agricultural markets on Sunday with the launch of five grain and oilseed futures. Top aide to Florida governor resigns amid scrutiny ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (Reuters) - A top aide to Florida Governor Rick Scott has resigned after a recent flurry of media reports focused on his alleged steering of state government contracts to longtime acquaintances or friends. Weary warriors favor Obama COLUMBIA, South Carolina (Reuters) - Mack McDowell likes to spend time at the local knife and gun show "drooling over firearms," as he puts it. Retired after 30 years in the U.S. Army, he has lined his study with books on war, framed battalion patches from his tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, a John Wayne poster, and an 1861 Springfield rifle from an ancestor who fought in the Civil War. Analysis: Beleaguered beef purveyors carve out "pink slime" stain WESTERN SPRINGS, Illinois (Reuters) - Behind the glass meat counter at Casey's Market in a Chicago suburb, the butchers pick up their blades and carry on a generations-old tradition. No arrests in killing of San Diego biker group leader SAN DIEGO (Reuters) - Homicide detectives searched over the weekend for clues in the killing of the San Diego chapter president of the Black Sabbath Motorcycle Club, who was gunned down outside the group's clubhouse, police said on Sunday. Georgia student likely to lose fingers to flesh-eating infection ATLANTA (Reuters) - A Georgia college student who has already lost a leg to a rare, flesh-eating bacterial infection is now expected to suffer the loss of her fingers too, her father said. Connecticut, Wisconsin parties consider Senate nominees (Reuters) - The Connecticut Democratic convention on Saturday endorsed Congressman Christopher Murphy for an open U.S. Senate seat, but former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson failed to win the Republican party convention endorsement in that state. For women prisoners, a bittersweet Mother's Day behind bars CHINO, California (Reuters) - On a recent Saturday morning, hundreds of sleepy children tumbled out of buses and into a dusty jail parking lot in southern California to pay a rare visit to their mothers in prison. Related Video Death toll rises in Mexico massacre Breakingviews: Europe could save itself from a Greek exit Great Debate Should we ditch the idea of privacy? Instagram's Facebook filter A daily digest of breaking business news, coverage of the US economy, major corporate news and the financial markets. Register Today   The latest Reuters articles on M&A, IPOs, private equity, hedge funds and regulatory updates delivered to your inbox each day. Register Today   » MORE NEWSLETTERS - 3 Times Square New York, NY 10036 USA © Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters Ensure delivery of Reuters Newsmails, add mail@nl.reuters.com to your address book. Details Subscribe to other Reuters newsletters. Unsubscribe from this newsletter. Follow us on Twitter Friend us on Facebook Forward to a friend